When Teresa Weatherspoon was fired after just one season in September 2024, it was a crushing blow, especially for Angel Reese. Struggling to hold back her emotions, Reese poured her heart out on X, writing: “I’m heartbroken. I’m literally lost for words knowing what this woman meant to me… I came to Chicago because of YOU. You were an unsung hero in my life. We built a relationship in a short amount of time that will last forever.”

Just from Chi-Town Barbie’s words, it was clear how much Weatherspoon had meant to her. And honestly, it made perfect sense. Their bond ran deeper than most people realized, especially during a season when Reese faced brutal criticism—some of it laced with racial undertones—from parts of the WNBA fanbase.

As a Hall of Fame player and first-year coach, Weatherspoon brought a player-first vibe, becoming a rock for Reese through the noise. Despite a tough 13-27 record, her firing shocked the league, with WNBA legend Lisa Leslie calling it a “lack of grace” for not giving her more time.

Through it all, Weatherspoon stood by her. As T-Spoon herself once said, “It has been tough. But at 22 years old, I think she is handling herself very well.”

And you know what? The coach was right.
Fast forward five months after Weatherspoon’s exit, and Reese is still standing strong, proving just how well she’s handled everything thrown her way.

Her rookie season was a wild ride—she averaged 13.6 points and a league-leading 13.1 rebounds, setting a WNBA record for consecutive double-doubles and snagging an All-Star nod. But her shooting? That’s where the struggle was real, hitting just 39.9% from the field and a rough 18.8% from three.

At first, Reese stayed pretty quiet about her new head coach, Tyler Marsh. But that’s no longer the case. Now, her energy feels fully locked into the future with Marsh and the Sky. After their first official practice together, Reese couldn’t help but share her excitement, saying:
“I’ve been communicating with him since he’s been hired… He brings a great vibe. He wants to win. He wants to bring that culture in within Chicago and bring that winning culture.”

Marsh, who cut his teeth with the Las Vegas Aces, has a knack for turning potential into results. He helped Aces star Jackie Young go from a 25% three-point shooter to a 38.9% sniper, a big reason for their 2023 title. His plan for Reese? Unlock her offense to match her rebounding grit.

Gone is the heartbreak of losing T-Spoon. In its place? A new fire. Reese now matches Marsh’s energy, fully embracing the winning mentality he’s looking to build in Chicago. It’s a bold shift from heartbreak to hope—and it’s all about rebuilding the Sky’s culture and chasing greatness.

And guess what? Angel Reese is ready to be part of it. But (and this is a big but) it won’t be as easy as it sounds.
Even though the vibes are immaculate, one major demand from Coach Marsh still hangs in the air, waiting to be met.

Angel Reese has got a major challenge lined up ahead

When Angel Reese showed up for training camp under new head coach Tyler Marsh, the energy was undeniable. The vibes? Immaculate. A fresh start. A clean slate. With a revamped roster featuring All-Star Ariel Atkins, veteran Courtney Vandersloot, and rookie Hailey Van Lith—Reese’s old LSU teammate—the Sky are gearing up for a big 2025, starting with their opener against the Fever on May 17.

But underneath all that positivity, one very real challenge still looms large,  and it’s something Marsh wasted no time putting front and center.

At his introductory press conference, Marsh didn’t sugarcoat it. “Shooting. We want shooting. And lots of it,” he said, making it crystal clear what the Sky need to fix.

And he’s not wrong. Last season, Chicago ranked near the bottom of the WNBA in both field goal percentage and three-point shooting. Simply put: if the Sky want to compete, they need a shooting overhaul,  urgently. And Angel Reese knows she’s right in the thick of that mission.

Sure, Reese had a rookie season for the books,  dominating the boards, setting records for double-doubles, and bringing a gritty edge to the Sky. But if we’re being honest, her shooting numbers told a different story. She shot just 39.9% from the field and struggled badly from three, hitting only 18.8% of her attempts. Even during her run in the Unrivaled 3-on-3 league, where she showed plenty of flashes, those same shooting inconsistencies kept popping up.

Now, with Marsh demanding a sharper, more confident offensive attack, all eyes are on players like Reese to take that next step.

The good news? Marsh isn’t just throwing out criticisms — he’s betting big on Reese’s potential. After all, he’s got a track record of helping players like Jackie Young blossom during his time with the Las Vegas Aces. And when asked about Reese’s development, Marsh made it clear he’s a believer: “She hasn’t even scratched the surface yet of what I believe her potential could be,” he said.

That kind of faith speaks volumes. But potential alone won’t get the job done. If Angel Reese wants to not just survive, but thrive under Marsh’s leadership, it’s going to take more than good vibes and hard work. It’s going to take real, tangible growth — especially with her shooting.

So here’s the story: Angel Reese has turned the page. She’s left the heartbreak of last season behind and embraced the excitement of a new chapter with Coach Marsh. But the real test is still to come.
Will Reese rise to meet her coach’s biggest demand — and help lead Chicago back to glory?